I’d argue about Hurley “not making it as a forward”. He played his role in our forward line at a time when we had as much “success” as any tine for 15 years.
It was never a traditional forward set up, but except for his injuries he was definitely effective in the role.
Now as for Francis, I can completely see where @Ivan is coming from. Just let him play CHB in the 2s for the rest of the year. Build some consistency of game time, take intercept marks, distribute by foot. Build confidence, fitness, strength.
Come on, I was as big a fan of Hurley forward as anybody, but ‘serviceable at best’ is the kindest way to put it. Injuries held him back, and I do think they stopped him reaching his full potential there.
But no amount of goal assists can make a key forward who doesn’t mark or kick many goals, effective.
As for Francis, I’m not against him in defence, I just don’t see many parallels with Hurley. Hurls was an AFL ready full back in round 1 of his first season, and his one on one defensive stuff was clear to see. I don’t even know if Francis can play a defensive role on an opponent, I only know he can intercept mark.
Not really, i know it sounds crazy, but McGrath will move into the midfield next year.
I just reckon we do it sooner than later, and Francis is the logical replacement to me…
He couldn’t mark it unless he was in the pocket or on the wing, and he wasn’t a very good set shot.
I must say though he didn’t have much help, with Alwyn Davey as FF and our major goal kickers/targets being Monfries and TBell (who both kicked more than him).
He was also still filling out. He’d probably have the same amount of success as Hooker is having now if we put him in, so I definitely thing it’s worth trying the switch occasionally, but I doubt it’s a better option in the long term.
From what I can tell Franga’s best assets are his overhead marking and his set shots, which would be very handy in any forward line but especially ours.
Richo thinks he should be a centre square specialist. Play him for the centre bounces and as soon as the ball is cleared get him off the ground. Fitness level no issue.
lol, did you hear him the other day suggest a specialist umpire purely there for the centre bounces ???
Legit said he could bounce it then scurry off the field FFS
That was the game plan. Lead to the pocket, if you dont mark it then force it out of bounds and set up the structures around that so that it doesn’t get out until we’ve scored.
Malthouse won a flag at Colingwood with that “reduce risk” game plan. Hird was implementing that. Hurley, and Crameri were key in that, as the one thing you wanted from your marking targets was the strength to neutralise any contest that you didn’t win.
Hurley played that role. I have no doubt he could play other roles as a kp forward as well.
I think everyone would agree that McGrath will move into the midfield next year.
But Francis as the logical replacement? That is just bizarre. They couldn’t possibly be more different as players.
I think I need to make myself a little bit clearer when I write this down, by logical, i don’t mean like for like, I mean next best. I just have the opinion that we need to play him, and defence is best suited for him, from what I’ve heard and read, just like how Ryder started his career when Sheedy needed to play him and set him at CHB for the year…
